AUTHOR=Sabir Ghezal , Bernet Thomas , Riar Amritbir 

TITLE=Empowering rural service providers to improve nutrition in mountain regions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1121995

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2023.1121995

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=Improved agroecological practices tend to lead to production diversity but often need to be more sufficient in achieving optimal dietary diversity in rural contexts. Thus, multi-prong interventions involving consumption, knowledge and skill development for production and consumption are needed. This study assesses nutrition and production-related interventions implemented in the East African Highlands, Pamir-Tian Shan, Hindukush and the Andes. Overall, 601 rural service providers were trained and supported to implement various nutrition-sensitive agroecological interventions. Study results show that these interventions have significantly increased the intake of flesh food, eggs, vitamin A-rich leafy greens, and vitamin-A-rich vegetables and fruits. Thus this study highlights the crucial role of rural service providers in catalyzing nutrition-related change in mountain contexts.